Eagle Byzantium

Finally, in the early morning of the next day, more than 300 of the 500 Cuman cavalry brought by Titicius ran away, and almost all the 500 military servants ran away. Teticius clearly remembered that under the city of Gallipoli in the past, Caesar's troops were fleeing and plundering everywhere. He was the only one who guarded his seven hundred cavalry and no one escaped. This was his most proud achievement. The secret recipe was just Teticius. Hughes distributed military pay in full and on time. But today, Taticius understood a new truth: for soldiers who are all mortal flesh and blood, in addition to military pay, there is also a certain kind of faith and enthusiasm that makes them more willing to follow.

But in the camp over there, even if the Diognis were not there, the four to five hundred Tecopo mercenaries were very determined - after all, they were from Emperor Alexios's Archery Guards and would not be easily defeated. Went away blinded.

The rising sun illuminates the sea area in front of Bari Harbor in a blushing color, and the refreshing summer wind is carrying the birds. Hundreds of Cuman cavalry who are newly prepared to be baptized, as well as Caesar's personal servants, all imitate Gawain. Waist-high rows of sea people standing under the breakwater In the midst of the waves, a row of Orthodox and Catholic monks stood on the embankment, loudly conducting a ceremony for them, and asking the group to take an oath. From far and near, many sailors on ships sailing in and out were watching with interest. , the whole scene is spectacular.

"Perhaps, this is the first group of Turks to be baptized in the world." Gawain thought to himself.

The bells of the cathedral were ringing, and Gawain and Ingrina were inspecting the work on the west side of the church entrance: about half of the craftsmen were left behind. Although they had pledged a holy war oath, they did not need to participate in the expedition. There is still work to be done, which is to renovate the old monks' dormitory building and connect it with the pilgrims' residence with walls. It was painted with white clay and added facilities inside, transforming it into a hospital and relief center in the medieval era. Idorus sat on a couch and commanded in the center of the courtyard of the construction site. Many pilgrims and volunteer women were inside and outside. Busy, including Gu Siyun with her hair in a bun. She was wearing a coarse cloth robe and a red hand suit on the outside. She rolled up her sleeves and was carrying a heavy washroom shelf, as well as a cabinet for storing herbs and books. One person was worth two.

Seeing this scene, Gawain couldn't bear it. He whispered a few words to Inglina, and then walked into the courtyard. When many craftsmen and women saw the Grand Duke coming, they put down their belongings and knelt down to salute. Gu Siyun moved the bookcase in first. He walked into the room, then clapped his dusty hands. Gawain, who was staring blankly across from him, walked up to him and asked like a straightforward Norman woman, "What's the matter?"

"Now you have a choice. Would you like to stay in this hospital and continue to serve the expedition and pilgrims, or go to Durazzo to join your husband and go to the imperial capital?" Gawain also spoke concisely and to the point.

Immediately after these words, Idorus, who was on the couch and happened to be between the two of them, also fell silent.

Gu Siyun scratched his hair, then put his hands on his hips, "Isn't he your subordinate?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, we will go our separate ways soon when the Red Hand Dalian team goes on the expedition." Gao Wen said that he could not deceive Gu Siyun.

"Diognis is a stubborn man. If he is separated from you, he will definitely return to the imperial capital. He will serve as the servant of the Roman emperor whose face I have never seen before." Gu Siyun scratched the back of his neck and lowered his voice. Hold your head. She didn't know whether she was talking to Gawain or to herself. Then she raised her face and said, "Then I can't stay here. If that guy is alone, it will make people very worried."

Gawain nodded, and then handed the money bag to Gu Siyun's hand, "If you are willing to do this, I will feel relieved. After all, Diognis was sent (kuang) by me. He should not know about it now. He is in the capital. In the city of Lazo, I will go with you when I go on an expedition soon, and you are responsible for bringing a message to him..."

After finishing speaking, Gawain walked towards Idorus, saluted respectfully, and then said, "I am leaving for an expedition this time. I don't know how long it will take to see us again. Teacher, please take care of yourself. This hospital I’d like to ask you to take charge of the relief center.”

Idorus smiled, put his palm on Gawain's big head, and then sighed, "Two years ago at St. John's Cathedral in the imperial capital, you and Peter still needed my introduction to meet the Lord of the Empire. But now, Gawain, you have your own career, and you don’t need to look at anyone else’s eyes anymore. In fact, when I was the dean, I was in my study You are so pampered and immersed in the wisdom of paganism that you forget that everything in the world still requires physical practice, just like you, Gawain." As he spoke, Idorus fumbled for a key from his sleeve. "A farewell gift for you before leaving. This is from the academy in St. John's Church. Princess Anna also has one. It's I gave it to her before I was exiled... Originally I kept it, still holding on to some unrealistic illusions, hoping that one day your majesty would pardon me and let me return to the imperial capital, but now the old hope It was over, but new hope sprouted, and my mood calmed down. Thank you, Gaowen, for allowing my remaining life and body to still function. Yes, my name will be engraved on the foundation stone of this hospital, instead of needlessly dying on a deserted island like a stranded fish. "Idorus burst into tears and held Gawain's face." But promise me, no matter how you deal with Barry City, I can understand it, but you must always help and be loyal to the eldest princess."

"Yes..." Gawain said.

"Remember, it's forever!" Idorus stared, his forehead and Gawain's knocked together, making a loud sound.

"I swear on my phosphorescent sword."

When Gawain slowly walked out of the courtyard of the construction site, Ingrina was waiting for him against the wall. Then the two walked side by side along the original central corridor towards the entrance of the church. A construction site was also set up on the east side. Craftsmen were using materials to transform the chapel into the "Basilica Council Hall" of Bari City.

At this time, the widow stopped and stared at the scaffolding. Then her eyes looked at Gawain who turned back and looked at her strangely, "Gu Siyun is willing to go to Durazzo, but His Excellency Archbishop Idolus and even Francesco, who wanted to go to the Holy Land the most, stayed. The former will take charge of the cathedral and hospital for you, and the latter is willing to guard the city for you... Gawain, I think I can do something for you, but now I have no money and no door, so I can only make silk for you in Bari City."

As she said, the widow still did not move her steps, a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, her hands crossed and struggled, shrugged her shoulders, probably as if she had made a great determination.

"But..."

"I do want to go on an expedition with you!" Ingrina lowered her face and said firmly, "But I think your strength and funds are still insufficient. If you delay the entire expedition simply for selfishness and lust, and even let you and the Brotherhood suffer setbacks in the barren and terrible mountains of Asia Minor, what will it mean? - I heard your previous conversation with the Venetian Archon and the words of Archbishop Idolus just now, so I made up my mind to stay in Bari to support you. Although I have lost my property in Corinth and Moria, Ingrina will rise again here and support you with a lot of wealth. Who told me to be shamelessly seduced by you the first time I saw you." (To be continued ~^~)